Russia kills at least 20 civilians in massive attack on Kyiv
Russia kills at least 20 civilians in massive attack on Kyiv
Russia kills at least 17 civilians in massive attack on Kyiv
Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv, killing at least 17 civilians in the city and injuring scores more. The attack, which lasted for 11 hours, was described by Moscow as retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities that have caused severe fuel shortages and put pressure on President Vladimir Putin.
The attack began overnight and continued into Thursday morning, with loud explosions shaking the Ukrainian capital for hours. Many people sheltered in subway stations after authorities issued air raid warnings. Emergency crews were still digging through the rubble of collapsed and charred apartment buildings in search of victims as dawn broke.
According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the attack killed 17 people in Kyiv, while more than 90 others were injured. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the attack as a "night of horror" in the capital.
Damage was recorded in 30 locations across the city, mainly residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. Some 20 residential buildings were damaged, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.
Kyiv resident Serhii Budko said three or four ballistic missiles hit his district of the city. "We were inside the shelter and felt the shelter shaking — the ceiling and floor, everything," the 24-year-old told The Associated Press. In Kyiv's Desnianskyi district, people were trapped inside a damaged nine-story residential building, and in the Darnytskyi district, six levels of a nine-story building collapsed.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that the strike hit key military plants in Kyiv, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that there would be more attacks to come. "Russia will continue to increase pressure on the Kyiv regime in order to achieve our set goals," Peskov said.
Ukraine's air force reported that Russia fired 74 missiles, 24 of them ballistic, and 496 drones of various types in the attack. Ukraine's air defenses have improved throughout the war, especially in countering Russian drones. However, ballistic missiles are harder to stop, and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly pleaded with partner countries to supply more Patriot missile systems that offer the best protection.
Sybiha urged countries not to delay decisions on supplying air defense systems and missiles, saying that Ukraine needed them "right now, not later."
Ukrainian forces have been striking back at Russian oil facilities, causing a fuel crisis that has frustrated Russians. Ukraine's recent success with drone strikes has brought a significant change in the war, with Western analysts saying that Russia's spring-summer 2026 offensive has failed to achieve operationally significant gains.
